The train is officially rolling for the Florida State Seminoles as they landed their first five-star prospect of the 2017 class on Friday.
FSU's 2017 class already was very solid on defense with commitments from several top defensive backs, linebackers and defensive linemen, but if the Seminoles were lacking anywhere it was at defensive end -- and they filled that void with the addition of five-star DE Josh Kaindoh of Bradenton's IMG Academy.
Kaindoh, who we're told has already sent in his paperwork to enroll at FSU in January, is the nation's No. 1-rated weakside defensive end. His announcement gives the Seminoles 16 commitments for the class and moves them into the top 10 in Rivals' team recruiting rankings.
In landing Kaindoh, the 'Noles beat out Penn State, Alabama, Georgia and others. Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Friedman said FSU defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Brad Lawing played a pivotal role in Kaindoh's recruitment.
"I can tell you the way they develop players under Brad Lawing caught his eye," Friedman said. "Anybody who does research on Brad Lawing knows the type of players he produces. Josh Sweat, [Jadaveon] Clowney before that and also Julius Peppers before that."
Lawing's players have certainly produced at a very high level. Aside from Clowney and Peppers, he more recently coached first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. at Florida and DeMarcus Walker at Florida State. Walker recorded a nation-leading 15 sacks this season and 10.5 as a junior. Freshman defensive end Brian Burns also recorded 9.5 sacks in his first season under Lawing.
"The one overriding thing with Brad and the kids he has in his program is how he really cares about his kids," Friedman said. "Clowney is even quoted as saying he will do anything for Brad Lawing, which says a lot."
